Stapler



H. SKREBBA STAPLER Filed May 8, 1953 W m 3 6 6 m2 2 4L 2 2 z 2 I 2 8/ 8 m WM@ 6 2 2 6 1 2 6 2w w 22 Z Z n 7 9/ E 8 1 2 662 mam United States Patent STAPLER Hans Skrebba, Lahr, Black Forest, Germany Application May 8, 1953, Serial N 0. 353,717

Claims priority, application Germany March 4, 1953 4 Claims. (Cl. 1-3) The present invention relates to a staple attaching device and more particularly to a stapler to be used in connection with a set of connected staples.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a stapler the parts of which are connected with one another so that they cannot detach themselves and be lost.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a stapler which can be easily handled by an operator.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel design which avoids the pivotal connection of the staple driving means with the staple magazine.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description thereof, when read in connection with the accompanying drawings showing by way of example, some embodiments of present invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a stapler according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the stapler shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken along the lines a-b of Fig. 2, the stapler being shown in its closed condition.

Fig. 4 is a cross section similar to that shown in Fig. 3 and taken along lines A--B of Fig. 2, the stapler however, being shown in its open condition to receive a set of staples.

Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional views of a different embodiment of a stapler according to the invention wherein the stapler is shown in closed and opened conditions respectively.

Figs. 7 and 8 are sectional views of still a different embodiment of the stapler according to the invention wherein the stapler is shown in closed and opened positions respectively.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 to 4, the stapler there shown comprises a base 12. Secured to opposed sides of the base 12 are guide support members 14 (see Figs. 3 and 4). Pivotally mounted on each of the guide support members 14 is a guide member 16. Each of the guide members 16 pivots relative to their respective guide support members 14 about a pivot 18 secured therein.

The guide members 16 are each movable relative to the guide supports 14 from a closed position such as is shown in Fig. 3, to an opened position such as is shown in Fig. 4. However, as can be seen from the drawings, the normal position of the guide members 16 is their closed position as shown in Fig. 3. They are constantly urged into this closed position by helical springs 20 each positioned about a respective pivot 18 and having one of their ends (not numbered) secured in the guide support members 14 while the other of their ends is secured in the relatively movable respective guide members 16. Hence, when the guide members 16 are pivoted to their opened position as shown in Fig. 4, they are pivoted against the pressure exerted thereon by the spring 20.

Disposed on the base 12, and between the spaced guide Patented Dec. 31, 1957 support members 14, is a staple supporting member 22. The staple support member 22 has an upper face 24 and a pair of spaced sides 26. The upper face 24 is provided with a longitudinal slot 28 for a purpose to be described. From the sectional views shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the stapler, it will be noted that when the guide members 16 are in their normally closed position, they embrace the sides 26 of the staple supporting member 22 and also a portion of the upper face 24. When the guide members 16 are in their open position such as shown in Fig. 4, they permit access to the staple supporting member 22 so that a set of staples 30 may be inserted over the member 22 and between the guide support members 14 to provide a proper guide for the staples as they are moved forward toward an ejector head 32 (Figs. 1 and 2).

In order to provide for and insure the proper forward movement of the staples 30 into position under the ejector head 32, there is a staple pusher 34 which rides in the longitudinal slot 28 provided in the upper face 24 of the staple support member 22. The constant forward urging movement of the staple pusher 34 is insured by a push spring 36 (Fig. 2) which is positioned underneath the slot 28 and is connected at its one end to the staple pusher 34 and at its other end to a forward portion (not shown) of the base 12. The guiding space formed between the staple support member upper surface 24 and sides 26, and the guide support members 14 and the guide member 16, permits accurate guiding movement of the set of staples 30 by the staple pusher 34, so that the staples may run and be guided easily on the supporting member 22 and into position beneath the ejector head 32.

The staple pusher 34 performs an additional function other than merely moving the staples into position beneath the ejector head 32. That additional function is to separate the side guide members 16 when it is desired to insert a new set of staples 30 into position on the staple support member 22 in the manner such as is shown in Fig. 4. To accomplish this, the staple pusher is provided with an extension means 38 which. extends above the staple pusher 34. The extension means 38 terminates in a wedge-shaped portion 40 that cooperates with projections provided on the rear inner facing portions of the guide members 16. From the showing in Figs. 1 and 2 it will be noted that these projections 42 are also provided with a slight taper intended to cooperate with the wedgeshaped portion 40 of the extension means 38.

Hence, from the above it will be recognized that when the staple pusher 34 is moved rearwardly along the staple support member 22, the wedge-shaped portion 40 on the extension means 38 will gradually come in contact with the inclined surface on the projections 42 provided on each of the side guide members 16. Continued rearward movement of the staple pusher 34 will then cause the projections 42 to ride upwardly along the wedge-shaped portions 40 provided on the extensible means 38 until the guide members 16 are lifted into their open position as shown in Fig. 4. When the guide members 16 are lifted into their open position a new set of staples 30 may then be inserted on the staple support member 22 with the legs thereof fitting between the sides 26 of the staple support member and the guide support members 14. As soon as the set of staples are in position as above described, the extensible means 38 may be moved forwardly by simply moving the staple pusher 34 against the rear of the set of staples 30. The wedg -shaped portion 40 will then move out of engagement with the projections 42 on the guide members 16, thus permitting the springs 20 to return the guide members 16 into their closed position as shown in Fig. 3.

When the guide members 16 are thus returned to their normally closed position above the upper surface 24 of the staple supporting member 22, they will embrace an upper portion of the set of staples 30 seated on the staple support member 22 to retain the staples in position and to provide a complete guide about three sides of the staples, while the staples are constantly moved into ejector position beneath the ejector head 32 by the staple pusher and spring 34 and 36 respectively.

Referring now to the embodiment disclosed in Figs. and 6, two side guide members 116 are each pivotally mounted on extensions or guide support members 114 formed integral with the base 112. The guide members 116 are pivoted about the pivot rods 118 set in the respective guide support members 114. Springs 126 are positioned about the pivot rods 118 and have their ends in engagement with the outer side walls of the guide members 116, to return the same into their normally closed position such as is shown in Fig. 5. It will be recognized that the springs 120 function in the same manner as the springs 20 in the prior embodiment (Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive) previously described.

Positioned on the base, and between the guide support members 114 and the guide members 116, is a staple support member 122. The staple support member 122 is provided with an upper supporting face 124 and downwardly extending sides 126, the same as in the prior embodiment. A longitudinal slot 128 is defined in the staple supporting member 122 throughout a substantial portion of the length thereof. The purpose of the longitudinal slot 128 is the same as that described and attributed to the slot 28 in the prior described embodiment.

The operation of the embodiment shown in Figs. 5 and 6 is substantially the same as that disclosed in the embodiment previously described in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive. The guide members 116 are moved from their closed position such as shown in Fig. 5, to their laterally opened position such as shown in Fig. 6, by a staple pusher (not shown) having an extension means and a wedge-shaped portion substantially similar to that numbered 38 and 40 respectively in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4. When the guide members 116 are in their laterally open position such as is shown in Fig. 6, a set of staples 30 (not shown in the present embodiment), may be inserted over the staple support member 122, and after which the staple pusher may then be released so that the same will abut the rear end of the set of staples to permit the guide members 116 to move back into their closed guiding position (Fig. 5).

With the elements of the stapling device closed as shown in Fig. 5 of the instant described embodiment, a guide is formed for movement of the staples into ejector position beneath the ejector head by the staple pusher between the guide members 116 and the staple support member 122. This guide area formed between the guide members 116 and the staple support 122 provides a smooth and efficient directional guideway for the staples.

Shown in Figs. 7 and 8 there is a further modified form of the staple support member 222 and the guide members 216. In the instant embodiment the guide members 21.6 are pivotally mounted on a pivot 218 fixed in the base 212. A spring 220 is positioned about the pivot rod 213 and has its end legs in engagement with outside portions of the guide members 216. It will be recognized that from the position of the spring 220, the guide members 216 are constantly urged into their normally closed position such as is shown in Fig. 7.

When however, it is desired to insert a new set of staples on the staple support member 222, a staple pusher similar in nature to the staple pusher 34 shown in the embodiment in Figs. 1 to 4, may be employed. The staple pusher will, when moved backwardly or rearwardly, engage projections (not shown) provided on the rear end portion of the guide members 216 to move them in opposition to the movement of the spring 220 into their open position such as is shown in Fig. 8. When the guide members 216 are moved laterally into their open position a new set of staples may then be placed on the staple support member 222 with the legs of the staples fitting along the sides 226 of the support member.

After the staples have been properly positioned on the support member 222, the staple pusher can then be released into engagement with the rear end of the set of staples and at the same time permitting the guide members 216 to move, by springs 220, backwardly and into their normally closed position (Fig. 7). With the guide members 216 in their closed position as shown in Fig. 7, there is provided between the guide members and the staple supporting member 222 an effective and accurate guideway for the staples as they are moved into position beneath an ejector head (similar to the ejector head 32 disclosed in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 4).

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to several preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated and in their operations may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. In a stapler, the combination of: elongated supporting means having a center portion shaped for accommodating a series of staples, and a pair of individual rigid elongated guiding members each of which is pivotally mounted on said supporting means at opposite longitudinal sides thereof, said guiding members being pivotable between a first position and a second position, at least a portion of each of said guiding members extending over said center portion of said supporting means in spaced relationship thereto for holding and guiding said staples on said supporting means when said guiding members are in said first position, and said guiding members giving free access to said center portion of said supporting means for permitting the placing of a fresh series of staples onto said supporting means when said guiding means are in said second position. I

2. In a stapler as claimed in claim 1, in which said guiding members are mounted for pivotal movement about separate hinge pins spaced from each other.

3. In a stapler as claimed in claim 1, in which said guiding members are swingable about a single axis common to both of them.

4. In a stapler as claimed in claim 1, in which resilient means are provided for urging said guiding members from said second position into said first position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

